Capitol Update

Urgent Letter from NAMI Michigan regarding P&T Meeting July 21, 2009
In March, Michigan reeled from its dismal grade of D in NAMI National's Grading the States 2009 report—a disheartening drop from its C grade in 2006. One bright spot that kept our state from sinking lower was our B grade in core treatment/recovery services. Access to antipsychotic and other psychiatric medications contributed to Michigan's strong score in this category.
Pennywise? Pound Foolish
In 2004, mental health advocates worked hard to protect mental health drugs from prior authorization in the state’s Medicaid program. It was a dangerous situation when medications gained “preferred” Medicaid status only through cost considerations. We won! Now the Governor and the State Medicaid office want to repeal this legal protection!
Protest Budget Cuts for People with Mental Illness Diagnoses
On behalf of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Michigan, we call for a revision of the 2010 Michigan Budget to promote, not undermine quality treatment of mentally ill individuals. We appreciate that, in these extremely tough economic times, sacrifices must be made to produce a balanced budget.
Watch Fox 2 Tonite at 5 p.m.
Watch Fox 2 August 17th at 5 p.m.
“Larry Ackerman Office and Program Coordinator NAMI Michigan speaks out about the need for OPEN MEDICATION ACCESS
My name is Larry Ackerman and I live in Lansing. I am Office and Consumer Programs Coordinator for NAMI Michigan. Minimizing access to quality mental health medications is simply not worth the savings.
Grading the States 2009 Report Card: Michigan
In 2006, Michigan’s mental health care system received a grade of C. Three years later, it has dropped to a D. As a result of the foundering economy, the need for mental health services is increasing, but the community mental health system is greatly challenged.
July Letter to the Editor
In 2004, mental health advocates worked hard to protect mental health drugs from prior authorization in the state’s Medicaid program. It was a dangerous situation when medications gained “preferred” Medicaid status only through cost considerations. We won! Now the Governor and the State Medicaid office want to repeal this legal protection!
July op-ed: It’s déjà vu all over again.
In 2004, mental health advocates and providers worked hard with legislators to protect mental health drugs from bureaucratic prior authorization in the state’s Medicaid program. We wanted an end to the dangerous situation whereby medications gained “preferred” Medicaid status only through cost considerations, and doctors and consumers had to seek approval of “non-preferred” prescriptions from a for-profit company in Virginia.
Decriminalizing Mental Illness
Mental illness is a disorder that is responsive to specific treatment. Recovery is possible and people with mental illness can lead normal productive lives. Timely treatment for mental illness, like all other illnesses, speeds recovery, promotes wellness and quality of life, preserves resiliency, and is less expensive in the long run because more intensive care is often not necessary.
Statement re: "Coalition Position Statement on 2009-10 DCH Budget"
We agree with the Coalition that the recommendation of the House Appropriations Committee for a $0.50 per hour wage increase for direct care workers in the Community Mental Health system would help to improve quality services as well as reduce the high, costly turnover of those who are critical in providing direct care.

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Maintain open access!At the conferenceOur newest affiliateNAMI Walk 2009